La vie des gens de la campagne en ville sous la dynastie Song

Chapitre 73

Qin Zhen smiled sheepishly, thinking to herself that this place wasn't as isolated as she had imagined.

"I have come today specifically to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. Please inform her of my presence."

Without announcing their arrival, the old palace maid opened the palace gates wide and invited Qin Zhen in. Qin Zhen and Wan Qiu entered Yaohua Palace. The courtyard was very clean, but also very quiet. Inside the house, the furnishings were simple and clean, befitting the environment of a female Taoist priest.

An old palace maid led them inside and said to a woman who came out from the inner room, "Your Highness, it is indeed Miss Qin."

The old woman had clear eyes and a dignified demeanor. Although her clothes were quite simple, her noble air emanated from within. Qin Zhen thought to herself, "This is Empress Dowager Yuanyou, who served as empress for one dynasty and empress dowager for three."

Qin Zhen bowed to her and handed the tonics Wan Qiu had brought to the old palace maid. Only then did she stop, and saw that Empress Dowager Meng was watching her with a smile. Empress Dowager Meng said to the old palace maid, "Yan Tong, take this little girl downstairs for a cup of tea. I want to have a chat with Miss Qin."

The old palace maid named Yantong asked Wanqiu to go with her. Qin Zhen nodded to Wanqiu, and Wanqiu then went out with Yantong.

When only Empress Dowager Meng and Qin Zhen remained in the court, Empress Dowager Meng said, "Your timing is perfect. I was just talking about you with someone, and then you arrived."

Qin Zhen was surprised, but then a man walked out from the back courtyard. When she saw who it was, she was even more surprised.

"Fourth Senior Brother?"

The person who came out from behind was none other than Qin Zhen's fourth senior brother, Liang Shicheng. It seems that the expert Wanqiu mentioned earlier was him.

Liang Shicheng smiled with narrowed eyes and stood respectfully beside Empress Dowager Meng.

"Junior Sister, how have you been?"

Qin Zhen nodded. "Senior brother, it's been a long time." As she spoke, she was thinking rapidly. Of her six senior brothers, she knew the least about Liang Shicheng. She had never known why her fourth senior brother had been castrated, nor did she know about his past grievances. Meeting him here now made Qin Zhen think of some things.

If you do the math... Liang Shicheng entered the palace around the same time Empress Dowager Meng married into the palace. Could it be that he was castrated to enter the palace for Empress Dowager Meng's sake?

After Qin Zhen thought of this, she looked at her fourth senior brother again. Liang Shicheng seemed to have guessed what she was thinking, nodded slightly, and said, "This old servant often goes to the palace to play chess with Miss. I didn't expect that Junior Sister would run into me today. It's just as well. We, the senior and junior brothers, have not seen each other for a long time. We can take this opportunity to catch up."

He addressed Empress Dowager Meng as "Miss"...

Qin Zhen had only come today to pay a visit to Empress Dowager Meng, but she hadn't expected to stumble upon her fourth senior brother's big "secret," and for a moment she didn't know what to say. Fortunately, Empress Dowager Meng changed the subject, saying, "I saw you from afar when you entered the palace at the age of six. I never imagined that so many years would have passed, and the little girl had grown into a young lady. Time really flies."

Qin Zhen couldn't remember when she had seen Empress Dowager Meng when she was a child. Perhaps she had seen her by chance when she was serving as a maid to Zhao Gou. She continued, "Your Majesty has known me for so many years, but I am only now coming to visit you. This is truly disrespectful. Please forgive me."

Empress Dowager Meng said kindly, "What's the big deal? Since you are Xiao Liangzi's junior sister, you don't need to be reserved in front of me. Just treat me as an old woman who doesn't know anything. If you have nothing to do, just come and chat with me. That would be the best thing."

When Qin Zhen heard her call Liang Shicheng "Little Liangzi", she almost burst out laughing. It was probably only Empress Dowager Meng who dared to call the current minister Liang Shicheng that!

After the atmosphere eased, the three chatted for a while. Empress Dowager Meng kindly reminded Qin Zhen of some things to be careful about in the palace. Seeing that it was getting late, Qin Zhen said he would visit again later and took his leave. Liang Shicheng also got up to say goodbye.

When Qin Zhen returned to her palace, she saw the palace servants waiting respectfully in the courtyard, and knew that Zhao Gou had come to see her that day. She dismissed Wanqiu, took off her cloak, and went to her bedroom. To her surprise, Zhao Gou was asleep on her bed with a book draped over his hand.

Volume Two: Eagle Soars Through the Sky Chapter 138: Trying on the Wedding Dress in Advance

(The chapter title was wrong and cannot be corrected. This should be chapter 137. The actual chapter 13 will be released at noon.)

Although it was summer, it was not appropriate for Zhao Gou to sleep like this with his head open. Qin Zhen saw that he was tired and couldn't bear to wake him, so she reached out and took the silk quilt to cover him up.

Even with the utmost care, the moment the silk quilt touched Zhao Gou's body, he awoke. With his dark eyes half-closed, Zhao Gou stared directly at Qin Zhen, a radiant smile on his face: "You're back?"

"You just got back. How can you be so careless and fall asleep like this!" Qin Zhen complained slightly. Zhao Gou replied, "Back in the day, I slept like this in the snow on the battlefield, fully clothed. What am I afraid of now? I'm in good shape."

Qin Zhen spat at him, "You think you're so strong?"

Both of them laughed. Zhao Gou remained lying there without getting up, holding Qin Zhen's hand as she talked about visiting Empress Dowager Meng.

"When I saw my fourth senior brother, I thought he was a firework. Later, I heard him call Empress Dowager Meng 'Miss,' so he must have been a servant in Empress Dowager Meng's family before, and their relationship was quite deep."

Zhao Gou found it strange and asked, "You don't know your senior brother's past? It seems I know more than you do."

"Is it strange that I don't know? He's my senior brother, why would I send someone to investigate? But you, how did you know?"

Zhao Gou touched his nose sheepishly and said, "It happened many years ago. When I first met Lord Liang, I was a little worried, so I had someone investigate. He noticed, but he didn't say anything and just let me investigate. I suppose he didn't intend to hide it from us, but he just didn't want to bring it up himself."

This piqued Qin Zhen's interest greatly, and he hurriedly asked, "Tell me quickly, among all my fellow disciples, Fourth Senior Brother is the most mysterious!"

Zhao Gou said dismissively, "In my opinion, he is the most ordinary. He was just an orphan who was sold into the Meng family and was favored by the young lady. In addition, he developed feelings for her over time. Not long after Empress Dowager Meng entered the palace, he also became a eunuch and accompanied her at all times."

"That's it? My senior brother is highly skilled in martial arts. If he really liked her, why didn't he take Empress Dowager Meng with him?" Qin Zhen asked, puzzled. Zhao Gou smiled and said, "If things were really that simple, that would be great. Empress Dowager Meng wouldn't dare go with him. Hundreds of lives in the Meng family are on her shoulders. Besides... in this story, your master is nowhere to be seen. Lord Liang only learned some calligraphy at the Meng family; he doesn't know a single martial art skill."

"Huh, could it be that my master went to the palace to teach my senior brother martial arts? I don't know either."

Zhao Gou pursed his lips and said, "I didn't find it either, but I did guess one possibility."

Qin Zhen wanted to hear him continue. But Zhao Gou stopped talking and just stared at Qin Zhen with a silly grin. Qin Zhen looked back and asked, "Why did you stop?"

Zhao Gou pointed to his face and said, "Give me a reward and I'll talk."

Qin Zhen looked at him with a mischievous grin. She knew he wasn't serious, so she laughed and asked, "Want a reward? Sure, that's easy."

Zhao Gou was flattered and surprised, not expecting Qin Zhen to agree so readily. Just as he was feeling happy, he saw Qin Zhen's slender hand form a three-pronged claw shape. The next moment, he felt a sharp pain on his face as Qin Zhen pinched his cheek hard...

"So, how was it? Was this reward meaningful?"

Zhao Gou felt a pang of regret. Qin Zhen had been obedient these past few days, but that didn't mean she had changed her nature and was completely at his mercy. It seemed he couldn't expect to win her hand before the wedding…

Qin Zhen tightened her grip, threatening, "Tell me, tell me..." Zhao Gou winced in pain and reached out to tickle Qin Zhen's waist. Qin Zhen smiled, and the pressure in her grip disappeared. Taking advantage of the moment, Zhao Gou twisted her waist forcefully and pinned her down.

"Get up quickly." Qin Zhen punched Zhao Gou with her fists, but Zhao Gou's arms were like iron hoops, encircling her and pressing her down so she couldn't move. Zhao Gou's eyes were intoxicated, making Qin Zhen's face burn.

His breath hit Qin Zhen's face, and Qin Zhen panicked, her voice faltering.

He came down: "Hey... get up quickly..."

Then, Zhao Gou smiled, turned over and lay down on the bed with Qin Zhen, but his arms remained firmly wrapped around Qin Zhen, refusing to let go.

“Let’s talk like this for a while,” Zhao Gou said in a low voice. Qin Zhen did not answer, but Zhao Gou continued what they had just been saying: “Back when Empress Dowager Meng was still Empress, she was deposed. She and her servant were abandoned in a corner of the palace. During those years, even if Liang Shicheng disappeared from the palace, no one would know. Later, when my father ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Meng was reinstated and honored as Empress Dowager. Liang Shicheng was gradually valued by my father and slowly stepped out of the harem and into the court. The only period that is unclear is the time when Empress Dowager Meng was deposed. No one knows how they, master and servant, survived. So I guess your master must have taught him martial arts at that time to help them out of their predicament.”

Qin Zhen said, "It's truly rare that Fourth Senior Brother would make such a great sacrifice for Empress Dowager Meng. What a fine man... sigh."

Zhao Gou said gently, "For the sake of my beloved, any sacrifice is worthwhile."

Qin Zhen suddenly had a change of heart and said to Zhao Gou, "They are no longer young, so please grant their wish..."

"To fulfill...how can we fulfill it? One is the empress, the other a minister, how can there be any future? Besides..." Besides, Liang Shicheng is a eunuch. Although Zhao Gou didn't say it explicitly, Qin Zhen naturally understood. Even so, Qin Zhen still hoped that the two of them could be together, even if it was just to pay tribute to their arduous and unending love.

Zhao Gou saw through Qin Zhen's thoughts and whispered in her ear, "If two people are truly in love, why should they be together every day? They have been together for so many years, and their relationship is beyond our comprehension."

Qin Zhen sighed almost imperceptibly, thinking to himself that this was putting Zhao Gou in a very difficult position; it was indeed a difficult situation.

Now that it was past midnight, Qin Zhen asked, "Aren't you going back yet? It's so late."

"I'm not going back; I'll sleep here tonight."

Qin Zhen was shocked: "How can this be allowed?"

“We’ve slept together before, just like when we were kids, and I didn’t do anything.”

Just as he finished speaking, he heard Granny Fang shout loudly from outside the room, "Your Majesty, it's getting late, please rest as soon as possible."

Qin Zhen chuckled to herself, wondering how Fang Mama could possibly find the right opportunity. Sure enough, Zhao Gou's expression darkened, and he angrily said, "Why do you, old servant, have to meddle in what I should be doing? Get out of here!"

"Hey, Granny Fang is just doing her job, don't make things difficult for them."

After listening to Qin Zhen's advice, Zhao Gou became even more childish, hugging Qin Zhen and saying, "I don't care anymore, I'm staying here today, don't even think about making me leave."

By the next day, news of Zhao Gou's overnight stay at Yuxiu Palace had spread to all the palace servants. Although they talked about it, they only marveled at how favored the future empress was by the emperor. There was no other gossip. In comparison, Qin Zhen had no rivals in the palace, and life was too peaceful. It seemed that one could predict the future just by looking at the present.

In fact, Zhao Gou's overnight stay at Qin Zhen's Yuxiu Palace yesterday was for a reason. During the daytime court assembly, he was pressured to marry by a group of ministers who believed that he should take more concubines and not favor the empress alone. Zhao Gou could not argue with them and angrily turned away, deciding to show those old scholars what it really meant to favor someone exclusively!

When Wanqiu relayed this matter to Qin Zhen, Qin Zhen was quite indignant. Why did these old ministers think that the emperor had to keep three thousand concubines? What's wrong with marrying only one wife?

Seeing that she was angry, Wanqiu advised, "Miss, don't get upset and hurt yourself. Those people are just like that. They value royal offspring more than anything else. As long as you give birth to a prince after your marriage, they will naturally stop talking."

It would have been better if he hadn't said anything, because Wanqiu's words made Qin Zhen even more depressed. He could only pray in his heart that history would not come true and that Zhao Gou would have to have a son!

Volume Two: Eagle Soars Through the Sky Chapter 138: Trying on the Wedding Dress in Advance

This is the real number 138.

One morning, Qin Zhen finished washing up and was waiting for Wan Qiu to bring her palace clothes to wear when she saw Granny Fang leading more than twenty palace maids into her bedroom, completely blocking the way.

Granny Fang said happily, "Miss Qin, the Imperial Wardrobe has delivered the finished ceremonial robe. Please try it on. If it doesn't fit, please send it back to them for alterations as soon as possible."

Qin Zhen looked at the dozens of palace maids below her, each holding a tray laden with a dazzling array of items. This was far more than just one garment. The ceremonial robe (袆衣) was a formal dress worn only by the empress during her investiture ceremony and audiences with the emperor. It consisted of several inner and outer garments, along with countless jade pendants, jade rings, sashes, and gold ornaments. Furthermore, given that this was their wedding, Zhao Gou had ordered an even grander preparation. Although everything was arranged according to regulations, there were still some differences.

The palace maids in the front row first presented a light blue gauze undergarment for Qin Zhen to wear, followed by a blue and white brocade robe with pheasant patterns. Qin Zhen stood there like a clothes rack, letting the four palace maids arrange her clothes. Touching the smooth silk robe, she was filled with excitement; this was her wedding dress.

After Qin Zhen had her basic ceremonial robes put on, two maids came out to comb her hair. Qin Zhen usually kept her hair casual, never using hair oil or getting it pulled too hard, but their handling caused her to cry out in pain. The two maids trembled and knelt down to apologize. Qin Zhen rubbed her scalp and said, "I'll just try it on today. Don't make it too tight. Just give me a general style."

Seeing that Qin Zhen didn't blame them, they smiled again and stood up to comb Qin Zhen's hair, being extra careful with their hands. After the hair was styled, Granny Fang personally brought out a nine-dragon, four-phoenix hair ornament and placed it on Qin Zhen's head. Then, palace maids brought out the highest-grade pearl flowers, twelve of each size, and two sideburns. There were also countless gold ornaments.

Instantly, Qin Zhen felt as if a thousand pounds had been poured over her head, and her neck could barely support it. She quickly used her hands to hold up the phoenix crown on her head.

"Miss, don't move! There's more, there's more..."

As if being tortured, the two palace maids pried open Qin Zhen's hands and continued to add things to her body. Qin Zhen looked closely and saw that the shawl she was later draped with had three layers: a vermilion lining, a vermilion brocade on top, and a green brocade on the bottom. After that, she was adorned with a pair of white jade pendants, a pair of large sashes, and three small sashes, each tied with a jade ring.

"Uh, Granny Fang..." Qin Zhen called out awkwardly, standing stiffly, afraid to move. "I don't know how to walk. Everything feels like it's about to fall. What should I do..."

Granny Fang smiled and said, "No rush, no rush. As long as Miss Qin walks steadily, just like when you teach her, there will be no problem. Come on, come on, keep your neck straight."

Qin Zhen had to use her inner energy to support the weight on her body as she slowly walked to the large bronze mirror. After a moment of hesitation, she cautiously turned to Wan Qiu beside her and asked, "Do I look like a big-headed doll?"

"Miss……"

Wan Qiu's expression was a wry smile; it was quite remarkable that she had managed to suppress a laugh. Although the outfit was incredibly gorgeous and exuded an air of nobility, it simply didn't suit Qin Zhen's lively and petite appearance. It looked rather awkward.